Keith Lewis

In my work I celebrate the materials, textures and surprises found in Nature. I am currently using amber Mica which I layer with 23K goldleaf and carving volcanic stone and Anthracite which I inset with natural pearls and precious stones. I contrast this formal construction with serendipitous surface treatment such as my version of a very old Japanese patina; I heat copper to bright red, expose it to wood particles, and then plunge it into boiling water which creates an organic and unpredictable "Raku" effect. For vivid color I create a clear oxide on Niobium which develops into interference colors, as in a soap bubble or Blue Jay feather. These diverse materials require a combination of goldsmithing techniques and necessity-is-the-Mother-of-invention engineering for me to turn them into a piece of finished jewelry. I strive to capture the beauty found when working with natural materials.